Tuesday, January 31, 2012

All India Consumer Price Index Number for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) on base 2001=100 for the month of December, 2011 decreased by 2 points and stood at 197 (one hundred & ninety seven) .

During December, 2011, the index recorded maximum decrease of 8 points each in Ghaziabad and Jamshedpur centres, 7 points each in Mysore, Bokaro and Ranchi Hatia centres, 6 points in 3 centres, 5 points in 3 centres, 4 points in 6 centres, 3 points in 11 centres, 2 points in 18 centres and 1 point in 17 centres. The index increased by 6 points in Coonoor centre, 4 points in Chennai centre, 3 points in Mercara centre, 2 points in 3 centres and 1 point in 2 centres, while in the remaining 7 centres the index remained stationary.

The maximum decrease of 8 points in Ghaziabad and Jamshedpur centres is mainly on account of decrease in the prices of Onion, Vegetable & Fruit items, Primary and Middle School Fee and Books, etc. The decrease of 7 points in Mysore, Bokaro and Ranchi Hatia centres is mainly due to decrease in the prices of Rice Wheat, Onion, Vegetable & Fruit items, Primary and Middle School Fee and Books, Petrol, etc. The increase of 6 points in Coonoor centre is mainly due to increase in the prices of Rice, Maida, Suji, Dairy Milk, Milk (Cow), Tamarind, Tea (Readymade), Sugar, Sweater, Medicine (Allopathic), Medicine (Homeopathic), Bus Fare, Barber Charges, etc. The increase of 4 points in Chennai centre is due to increase in the prices of Dairy Milk, Tea (Readymade), Cigarette, E.S.I. Contribution, Bus Fare, Flower/Flower Garlands, etc.

2. A number of representations have been received in this Department from DR Assistants of 2002 batch claiming promotion to the grade of Section Officer on ad-hoc basis as their junior promotee Assistants have been promoted. Minitries/Departments have also sought clarification as to whether DR Assistants of 2002 batch, though not having 8 years approved service, could be promoted to SO (ad-hoc) in view of the fact that promotee Assistants of SL 2002 have already been promoted.

The undersigned is directed to say that a number of representations have been received in the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for recognition of Ashirvad Hospital & Research Centre, Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) for treatment of Central Government Employees and their family members under CS(MA) Rules, 1944.

In a major relief to salaried class in the private sector, the government on Thursday cleared a proposal to raise the Income Tax (I-T) ceiling for payment of gratuity from the existing limit of Rs 3.5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.

This decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister.

“The Cabinet decided to amend the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 to enhance the gratuity limit for employees working in the private sector with no tax liability,” highly placed sources told Deccan Herald, which had earlier reported about the move. This decision of the Cabinet will bring parity between government and private sector employees in enjoying equal gratuity benefits. The government will introduce the necessary legislation for amending the Payment of Gratuity Act to enhance the gratuity limit during the ongoing Budget session of Parliament, sources said.

The Labour Ministry in its pre-Budget consultation with the Finance Ministry had proposed to raise the Income Tax exemption limit for gratuity funds up to Rs 10 lakh for both government as well as private employees. The Sixth Pay Commission in its report had recommended hiking the ceiling of Rs 3.5 lakh on gratuity funds to Rs 10 lakh for government employees.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Indian Railway Finance Corporation Limited (IRFC), the financing arm of Indian Railways, is proposing to issue Tax Free, Secured, Redeemable, Non-Convertible Bonds of face value of Rs. 1,000 each in the nature of Debentures, having benefits under Section 10(15)(iv)(h) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, as amended (‘Bonds’) aggregating to Rs.3,000 crore with an option to retain oversubscription of upto the shelf limit of` Rs. 6,300 crore (‘Issue’).

The application for subscription of Bonds should be for a minimum of 10 Bonds and in multiples of 5 Bonds thereafter. The Issue will open for subscription on January 27, 2012, and close on February 10, 2012, or earlier (subject to the Issue being open for a minimum period of 3 days), or extension by such period, upto a period of 30 days from the date of opening of the Issue, as may be decided by the Board of Directors or by a duly constituted committee of the Company. The Bonds shall carry a coupon rate of 8.00% p.a for 10 years (Series I) and 8.10% p.a for 15 years (Series II). An additional coupon rate of 0.15% p.a. and 0.20% p.a. on series 1 and series 2 respectively shall be available to Resident Indian individuals, Hindu Undivided Families through the Karta and Non Resident Indians on repatriation as well as non-repatriation basis, applying for an amount aggregating upto and including Rs.5 lakhs across all Series in the tranche (available only to the original allottees). The Bonds are proposed to be listed on NSE and BSE.

Subject:- Enhancements in the rate of various allowances by 25% as a result of enhancement of D.A. w.e.f. 1.1.2011.

Madam/Sir’,

In accordance with the recommendation of VIth CPC the rates of various allowances/advances admissible to different categories of employees will be automatically increased by 25%, whenever Dearness Allowance payable on the revised pay structure goes up by 50%..

Subject:- Instructions on booking of tickets from an agency other than the authorized travel agents.

Reference: This HQrs office Important Circular bearing even number dated 24/8/2011.

Attention is invited to Ministry of Finance, Deptt of Expenditure, OM No. 19024/1/2009-E.IV dated 16.9.2010 reiterating guidelines on Air Travel on Tours/LTC, circulated vide this HQrs office circular bearing No.AN/XIV/VIth CPC/Circular/Vol-IV dated 16/09/2010 and this HQrs office important circular dated 24/8/2011. wherein it was requested to give wide publicity to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Finance, Deptt of Expenditure concerning air travel and booking of air tickets only from authorized travel agents by Officers/Staff of the Defence Accounts Department.

The undersigned is directed to say that based on the results of the above mentioned examination, the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has recommended one more candidate namely Shri Khondakar Abul Basar for appointment as Stenographer Grade ‘C’ (PA) for the Select List Year - 2009. The examination dossier in respect of Shri Basar has been received from SSC. On the basis of vacancy position, the nomination of Shri Khondakar Abul Basar is given as under:-

At present only Nursing candidates who have studied in Government Nursing Schools / Colleges are being appointed to the post of Nurses in Government Medical Institutions. Now, more number of Private Nursing Colleges and Schools have been started with Government recognition and the Nursing Students of these Government recognised Private Institutions are also appearing for the examination conducted by the Director of Medical Education along with the students of Government institutions and Diploma certificates to both categories are awarded. However, the Nursing candidates studied in the approved Private Nursing Institutions are not given appointment in the Government Hospitals / Medical Institutions. The Government is receiving a constant stream of petitions with a request to give appointment in Government Medical institutions to the Nursing candidates who have studied in Private Nursing Schools / Colleges.

Subject:- Stepping up of pay of PAs of CSSS in case of ACP followed by ad-hoc promotion.

The undersigned is directed to say that the issue of senior PAs of CSSS who got their ACP followed by ad-hoc promotion prior to 1.1.2006 and are drawing less pay than PAs of CSSS who got their ACP and ad-hoc promotion after 1.1.2006 has been receiving attention. The Note 7 below Rule 7 of CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008 provides that “where in the fixation of pay under sub-rule (1), the pay of Government servant, who, in the existing scale was drawing immediately before the 1st day of January, 2006 more pay than another Government servant junior to him in the same cadre, gets fixed in the revised pay band at a stage lower than that of such junior, his pay shall be stepped upto the same stage in the revised pay band as that of the junior.

I would like to draw your kind attention to the Notification No. 8435-F (MED), dt. 29-08-2011 (copy enclosed) on the above subject and to state that the enrolment of the State Government employees and State Government pensioners under the West Bengal Health Scheme, 2008 is open up to 31-03-2012.

Directorate of Estates in the Ministry of Urban Development has been mandated the job of providing official residential accommodation to officers working in eligible offices. With a view to augment availability of residential accommodation of higher types, the following pro-active initiative have been taken by Directorate Estates over the last one year.

The Government is conscious of the acute shortage of residential accommodation to its officers in Delhi. Towards this, New Moti Bagh Residential project has been completed under PPP mode by NBCC. This has provided much relief to the senior officers of the Government. The Government is in advance stage of considering and approving another PPP project for re-development of East Kidwai Nagar. In the East Kidwai Nagar, it is proposed to develop another 4747 units of Government residential accommodation, with majority of accommodation in lower types i.e. Tye-IV and below. In addition to this, the Government is also constructing houses on the DDU Marg.

The undersigned is directed to say that discrepancies have often been noticed in the ACRs/APARs of CSS officers received in the CS Division of DoP&T from the Ministries/Departments. Such incomplete and inaccurate ACRs/APARs are required to be sent back to the respective Ministries/Departments for rectification of deficiencies, resulting in unwanted delay in completion of ACRs/APARs of the officer concerned.

Subject:- PAR Level-II Training Programme from l9th March 2012 to 30th March 2012 (Two Weeks) for PA/PS(ad-hoc) of CSSS-reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to ISTM’s letter No. A-33027/3/2010-ISTM dated 21st December, 2012 on the subject cited above and to say that PA/PS(adhoc) of CSSS whose names are given in the Annexure-I have been nominated to participate in the Level-II Training Programme being conducted by the ISTM from 19.03.2012 to 30.03.2012. It is requested that these officers may please be relieved of their duties with the direction to report to the course coordinator, Shri G.D.Chawla, Assistant Director, ISTM Administrative Block, JNU Campus (Old), Olaf Palme Marg, New Delhi-110067 at 9 A.M. on 19.03.2012.

A Mission Mode Pensioners’ Portal under NeGP entrusted to Department of P&PW aims at the welfare of Central Civil Pensioners across the country. Its specific objective is to facilitate redressal of Pensioners grievances and provide detailed information, guidance etc. on pension and other retirement related matters through various stake holders. The project envisages, inter-alia association of Pensioners Associations other welfare organizations in the implementation process.

Under the above project this Department had envisaged identification of a total number of 30 Pensioners Associations on the basis of the following criteria.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Departments O.M. No. 20/28/2010-CS-II(A) dated 20/10/2011(available on the web-site of the DOP&T) regarding Cadre Training Plan (CTP) for the officers/officials of Central Secretariat Stenographers Service (CSSS) and to say that Stenographers Grade ‘D’ nominated to different Cadre Units on the basis of Stenographers Grade ‘D’ Examination, 2010 whose names are given in the Annexure-I are nominated to participate in the Stenographers Direct Recruits (Foundation) course { 1st SDR(F)} / Induction Training being conducted by the ISTM from 5/3/2012 to 13/4/2012. It is requested that these officials may please be relieved of their duties with the direction to report to Ms. Hari Kiran Gurla, Assistant Director, ISTM, Administrative Block, JNU Campus (old), New Delhi at 9.00 AM on 5th March, 2012.

Friday, January 20, 2012

No. 86-SE(S)/ES/S/lS-26/2010(Part)-dated 11th January, 2012.—In exercise of the power conferred by clause (d) of sub-section (2), read with sub-section (1), of section 17 of the West Bengal School Service Commission Act, 1997 (West Ben. Act IV of 1997), the Governor is pleased hereby to make, with immediate effect, the following amendments in the West Bengal School Service Commission (Selection of Persons for Appointment to the Post of Teachers) Rules, 2007, as subsequently amended (hereinafter referred to as the said rules) :-

Amendments

(1) for the entry in column (4) against serial No. 4 in column (1), substitue the following entry :-

“Minimum 20 years and maximum 40 years so long as the West Bengal Services (Raising of Age-limit)Rules, 1981, is in force.

Sub:- Special Allowance to Vigilance Inspectors working in Zonal Railway/Production Units.

The subject of granting Special Allowance, so as to attract experienced and talented staff to work as Vigilance Inspectors in Zonal Railways and Production Units has been under the consideration of Board for some time. It has now been decided, as a special case, to grant Special Allowance @ Rs.2500/- per month to the Vigilance Inspectors in Zonal Railways and Productions Units.

Sub:- Provision for carrying of ID proof during journey on reserved tickets.

At present the passengers with Tatkal ticket and e-ticket are to carry original proof of identity during the course of railway journey. With a view to preventing the cases of travelling on transferred tickets, now it has been decided that any one of the passengers/the passenger booked on the tickets issued from computerised Passenger Reservation System(PRS) and internet(i-ticket), undertaking journey in AC-3 tier, AC-2 tier, Ist AC, AC Chair Car and Executive classes, will also have to carry any one of thc nine prescribed proofs of identity( in original) during the journey, and produce the same as and when required failing which all the passengers booked on that ticket will be treated as without ticket and charged accordingly.

Sub:- Charging of enhanced Rate of Licence fee in case of Out of Turn Allotment.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this office O.M. of even No. dated 28/10/2010 on the subject noted above and to say that the matter of charging six times of normal licence fee in cases of Out of Turn Allotment till the day the allottec becomes eligible for in- turn allotment of Govt. residence, has been reviewed and it has been decided to propose three times of normal licence fee in all CCA Notes for out of turn allotment from the date of occupation of Govt. residence till the day allottee’s turn matures as per his/her seniority/ priority in waiting list for allotment of that type of Govt. accommodation.

The cabinet today cleared “childcare leave” of two years for female government employees.

The leave can be taken till a child turns 18 years. This is different from maternity leave. The employees will get their full salary during this period.

“The leave can be availed of before a child attains the age of 18. We have cleared this proposal and it will benefit women employed by the state government,” industries minister Partha Chatterjee said at Writers’ Buildings.

According to government sources, the leave can be taken at one go or in phases. Each phase can’t be less than 15 days.

The Union government had introduced the facility in 2008. At present, state government employees are entitled to four months of maternity leave.

Subject:- Notional fixation of pay to officers included in the Deputy Secretary Select List 2009 and 2010 - reg.

As per DPC guidelines promotions are effective from a prospective date. However, in the case of Central Secretariat Service, Select Lists for the Selection Grade (Deputy Secretary) for certain years got delayed due to protracted litigation over the question of inter-se seniority between the direct recruit and promotee Section Officers.

F.No. 7/30/2011-E.III(A)Government of IndiaMinistry of FinanceDepartment of Expenditure

New Delhi, the 13 January, 2012.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

SUBJECT:- Enhancement in the rate of Qualification Pay from ` 60/- to ` 120/- per month consequent upon the revision of scales of pay on the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry’s O.M. No. 9(7)-E.III (A)/98 dated 5th August, 1999 regarding the rate of qualification pay of ` 60/- p.m. to the Auditors/Accountants in the Indian Audit & Accounts Department and certain other organized accounts cadres and the Clerks Grade II in the Railway Accounts Department. The matter regarding revision of the rate of this qualification pay consequent to revision of scales of pay on the basis of recommendations of the Sixth CPC has been under consideration of the Government for sometime past. The President has now been pleased to decide that the rate of qualification pay may be enhanced from ` 60/- to ` 120/- p.m. with effect from the date an individual elects to draw pay in the revised scale of pay under CCS (RP) Rules, 2008.

The undersined is directed to invite reference to this Ministry’s Office Memoranda of even number dated the 8th December 2010 and the l9th January 2011 vide which continuous empanelment scheme has been initiated under CGHS, LUCKNOW, HYDERABAD, CHENNAI, PUNE, CHANDIGARH JABALPUR AND DELHI for treating CGHS beneficiaries. The CGHS rates applicable have already been notified and are available on CGHS website. Three rates were notified, one for super-speciality hospitals, the second for hospitals that were accredited with the NABH and the third for hospitals not accredited with the NABH.

Subject:- Promotion of Assistant in the grade of Section Officer of CSS on ad- hoc basis - Extension thereof.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM of even no. dated 4th October, 2011 on the captioned subject, wherein cadre authorities were allowed to continue the ad-hoc promotion in the grade of Section Officer upto 31.12.2011.

The Pongal gift in the form of Performance Incentive would be given to the transport employees on the occasion of Pongal festival, an official release here said.

Ms Jayalalithaa said state transport corporations played a vital role in providing efficient and comfortable transport facilities to the general public and they should be suitably rewarded, the release said.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M No. 6/6/2011-CS-II(C) dated 22/9/2011 regarding issuance of zone of consideration for placement of eligible Stenographer Grade ‘D’ in Non Functional Selection Grade (NFSG) consequent upon creation of new grade of UDC (NFSG) and Stenographer Grade ‘D’ (NFSG) in CSCS and CSSS respectively vide this Department’s O.M. No. 20/49/2009-CS.II(B) dated 22/6/2011 and to say that the matter relating to pay fixation on grant of NFSG to UDCs and Stenographers Grade ‘D’ of CSCS and CSSS respectively subsequent to implementation of CCS(Revised Pay) Rules, 2008 has been considered in this Division in consultation with Estt. (Pay) Division.

Sub:- Granting of 2 (two) additional increments in favour of teacher(s) working in non-Government aided Secondary Schools having Ph.D Degree.

With reference to above, the undersigned is directed to say that it has come to the notice of this Department that 2 (two) additional increments are not being granted to some teachers who entered into service in the Secondary Schools (s) despite their having Ph.D Degree in the relevant subject taught in the school(s) and, as such, the question of granting such benefit to a number of teachers appointed either through SSC or on the basis of rules prescribed before coming into effect of the Control of Expenditure Act, 2005 had been under consideration of the State Government for some time past. In this connection, attention is invited to Clause 5 of Rule 16 dealing with Career Advancement Scheme laid down in ROPA Rules, ’98 which provides that all secondary teachers / Headmasters / Headmistress with Doctorate Degree in the subject taught or in an allied subject shall get two additional increments from the date of the convocation on which such degree is / was awarded.

Ref:- Board’s letter of even number dated 11.9.2010, 28.06.2011 and 15.7.2011

The issue of inclusion of some categories, dispensation of Physical Efficiency Test (PET), and relaxation of minimum educational, qualification norms for recruitment under the LARSGESs has been under consideration of Railway Board for Some time.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Retirement fund body EPFO may lower the interest rate on deposits to 8.6 per cent for over 4.7 crore subscribers for 2011-12 to match it with the rate of public provident fund (PPF) scheme. The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) had provided 9.5 per cent interest rate to its subscribers for 2010-11 after it found Rs 1,731 crore surplus in its books of account.

“The Labour Ministry will soon be sending a note to the Finance Ministry, recommending 8.6 per cent rate of interest on provident fund deposits to EPFO subscribers for this fiscal as provided under PPF scheme”, a source privy to the development said.

The source said the ministry wants bring the EPFO’s rate of return on par with the PPF rate.

According to the EPFO’s income projections, if the body provides 8.25 per cent interest for 2011-12, it would leave a deficit of a Rs 24 lakh. It had further pointed out that an 8.5 per cent rate of return would translate into a deficit of Rs 526.44 crore.

Subject:-Re-imbursement of rent to Government servants during their stay in State Bhavans/Guest Houses run by State Governments/Autonomous Organizations, etc.

The undersigned is directed to invite reference to this Ministry’s O.M. No. 2(39)/94-E.II(B) dated 27.10.1994 and subsequent O.M. of even number dated 19.08.2004 on the subject mentioned above. It has been represented to this Ministry that the officials, who are posted to the Centre and temporarily stay in State Bhavans/Guest Houses run by the State Govts./autonomous organizations, face hardship due to non-reimbursement of the amount of the rent paid by them equal to 10% of their basic pay.

Subject:- Stepping up of pay of senior member of All India Service vis-a-vis pay of his junior in the cadre — regarding.

Sir,

I am directed to say that references from various State Governments regarding anomalies in the pay of senior members of All India Services vis-a-vis pay of their juniors in the cadre who have been promoted to the Service or to a higher grade in the Service subsequent to the seniors, have been engaging attention of this Department.

The Government in their order first read above had constituted a fund called “Tamil Nadu Government Pensioners’ Health Fund” with effect from 01.07.1995 to provide financial assistance to pensioners for undergoing specialised treatment / surgery, when they are affected by major ailments.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM. of even number, dated 15th November and 22nd November, 2011 circulating the minutes of the meeting concerning revision of Pension Payment Orders (PPOs) in respect of pre-2006 Pensioners, which was chaired by Secretary (Pension) on 3/11/11. It was decided, vide para 9 of the minutes, that the Department of Pension and PW would bring out a model advertisement spelling out the utility of the revision of PPO to the individual pensioner/family pensioner, which may be used by administrative Ministries/ Departments for eliciting responses from the pensioners/family pensioners belonging to them. It was also agreed that the advertisement shall also be posted on the web-site of respective Ministry/ Department.

Subject: - Preparation of Draft Common Seniority List of UDCs for the Select List Year 2007-regarding.

The undersigned is directed to say that Common Seniority List of UDCs of CSCS for the Select List Year 2007 is being finalized in terms of Rule 11(3) read with Regulation of 2 of Third Schedule of CSCS Rules, 1962.

Monday, January 09, 2012

In exercise of the power conferred under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (XXVI of 1881) read with explanation thereunder and also Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs Notification No. 20/25/S6-Pub(I), dated the 8th June, 1957, the Governor is pleased to declare Thursday, the l2th January, 2012, the birthday of Swami Vivekananda as a Public holiday. This is in partial modification of earlier Notification No. 10972-F(P) dated 7.12.11

[TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE OF INDIA, EXTRAORDINARY, PART II, SECTION 3, SUB-SECTION (i)]

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Department of Personnel and Training

Notification

New Delhi, the, 27.12.2011.

G.S.R.... In exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to article 302 read with clause (5) of article 148 of the Constitution and after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India in relation to the persons serving in the Indian Audit Accounts Department, the President hereby make the following rules further to amend the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972, namely :-

In exercise of the power conferred by the proviso to article 309 of the Constitution of India, the Governor is pleased hereby to make the following amendments in the West Bengal Services(Raising of Age limit) Rules, 1981, published with this Department notification No. 10317-F dated the 31st December, 1981, as subsequently amended (herein after referred to as the said rules:-

To
The Chief Executive Officers of all State Public Sector Undertakings/
Statutory Boards.

Sir,

Sub: State Public Sector Undertakings/Boards - Payment of Adhoc bonus & Special ex-gratia to employees of State Public Sector Undertakings /Boards and Pongal Prize to Pensioners / Family Pensioners of Statutory Boards / State Transport Undertakings — orders - issued

In the Govt order lst cited, orders were issued for sanction of Bonus and Ex-gratia to the employees of State Public Sector Undertakings, who are equivalent to C & D Groups employees in the Government departments, for the year 2010-11 in relaxation of the salary ceiling of Rs.10,000/- prescribed in the Payment of Bonus Act 1965. In respect of employees of A & B Groups who are not governed by the Payment of Bonus Act 1965, it was decided to issue separate orders, as and when any special ex-gratia is paid to Government employees during Pongal Festival 2012.

The undersigned is directed to invite reference to this Ministry’s O.M No. Misc.6024/2007/CGHS (HQ)/CGHS(P) dated 30th December, 2009 wherein guidelines on issue of individual Plastic cards to each CGHS beneficiary (serving and retired) were issued. In order to further streamline the issue of CGHS Plastic Cards, the guidelines are revised as follows:-

Subject:- ACR dossiers of Private Secretaries of CSSS for the Select List Year 2005 - reg.

The undersigned is directed to say that the complete ACR dossiers in respect of Private Secretaries of CSSS for the Select List Year 2005 are required in connection with submission of proposal to UPSC for preparing panel for promotion to the post of PPS 2011.

Sub:- Grant of family pension to next eligible member in the family in the case of missing family pensioners.

The undersigned is directed to state that as per extant instructions of the Government, conditional provisions have been made in the case of a missing employee/pensioner, as a measure of social security, to cut short the period of 7 years, as given in Sections 107 and 108 of Indian Evidence Act, 1872, after which the presumption of a missing person being no longer alive may be raised, and enable the family pensioner to receive family pension after a period of six months from the date of filing FIR. However, there is no such provision in the case of a missing family pensioner that the next eligible member of the family of the employee/pensioner may be granted family pension.

Sub:- Courses for staff other than those involved in train passing/operation duties-Age limit for exemption from undergoing the Refresher Training.

Kindly refer to Board’s letter No. E(Trg)-75(30)/l0 dated 11.09.1975 wherein it had been decided that the staff who are of the age of 55 years and above, who are not employed in training operation/ train passing duty should be exempted from undergoing the prescribed Refresher Courses (copy enclosed).

Government has decided to grant Adhoc Bonus equivalent to 30 days emoluments on a base of 30 days a month to all regular and temporary Government employees, employees of Local Bodies and Aided Educational Institutions including teachers on regular time scales of pay for the financial year 2010-2011.

The Government sanction a lumpsum Pongal Prize amount of Rs.500/- (Rupees five hundred only) to all pensioners including adhoc pensioners of all categories and family pensioners of Government including All India Service, Aided Educational Institutions, Local Bodies and Ex-Village Officers..

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Ministry of Finance has clarified that although the rate of interest on small savings schemes will be aligned every year with rates of Government securities of similar maturity, with suitable spread, the rates are fixed and not floating so far as individual investments except PPF are concerned. This is in response to news items appearing in certain sections of the Press that the interest rates on small saving schemes, revised by the Government w.e.f. 1.12.2011, are floating rates, which will undergo change according to fluctuations in the yield on the Government securities.

The Cabinet has approved the extension of Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) to Nepal Domiciled Gorkhas (NDGs) pensioners Ex-Service Men (ESM). The scheme will be optional for retired Ex-Servicemen NDG Pensioners. Only NDG Ex-servicemen pensioner (paid from Defence Estimates) are eligible for ECHS membership.

There are about 1 lakh ex-servicemen and 2.17 lakh dependents domiciled in Nepal who benefit from the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme, (ECHS). They are entitled for medical treatment under ECHS Scheme at Polyclinics, and ECHS empanelled civil hospitals in India. Emergency treatment in India under existing provisions is also available. Considering the practical difficulties being faced by NDG ESM in taking treatment, the Govt. has decided to provide medical facilities to them in Nepal itself. The facilities would be available on the same pattern as is available to Indian ESM residing in India.

Subject:- Continuation of ad-hoc appointment in the grade of Assistant of CSS — regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM of even number dated 20.06.2011 on the subject mentioned above, vide which Cadre Units were permitted to continue ad-hoc appointment in the grade of Assistant upto 31.12.2011. Further continuance of these appointments has been reviewed in this Department and it has been decided to extend the appointment of the remaining UDCs of Select List year 1993 and upto 2003 in case of General and SC candidates and upto Select List year 2005 in respect of ST candidates, as ad-hoc Assistant for a further period upto 30.06.2012 or till regular Assistants become available, whichever is earlier.

Subject:- Submission of Immovable Property Return for the year 2011 (as on 01.01.2012) by the Central Secretariat Service Officers - instructions regarding.

CS.I Division in this Department is the cadre controlling authority in respect of Central Secretariat Service (CSS) Officers. Ministries/Departments are well aware that the Annual Immovable Property Return (IPR) in respect of CSS officers of Under Secretary and above level is maintained by this Division. The IPR is required to be furnished to this Division in respect of a calendar year by 31st January of the following year. However, it has been observed that in respect of the years 2009 and 2010, officers have not adhered to the due date and in several cases the IPRs were received in this Division much later only after repeated reminders. It has also been observed that in several cases the IPRs did not reflect the complete details of the property(ies) and only indicated ‘same as previous year’ or ‘no change’ etc. and hence did not provide the complete information.

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

To bring further convenience to the rail users, Indian Railways through Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Railway, has been offering the service of booking e-ticket over the mobile phone. After initial registration and downloading of suitable software on the mobile handset with internet facility, it will be quite easy for the mobile users to book a reserve ticket through their own mobile. After booking, the passenger will receive a reservation message with full details of the ticket including PNR, Train No, date of journey, class etc. This virtual message would be treated at par with the print-out of the e-ticket which at present is taken out by the passengers and is known as Electronic Reservation Slip (ERS). Hence, with the virtual message, passengers would not be required to take a print-out of e-ticket to be carried with them. Showing the reservation message of the confirmed ticket on their mobile during travel will be sufficient. The detail procedure of booking through mobile which is also available on the IRCTC website namely www.irctc.co.in, is as follows:-

The undersigned is directed to say that the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has been receiving requests for providing clarifications as to whether the expenditure incurred on In-Vitro Fertilisation ((IVF) treatment is admissible under CGHS, and if so. whether any guidelines have been laid down for reimbursement of the expenses incurred on IVF treatment.

Monday, January 02, 2012

Chennai: Ahead of Pongal (harvest festival)celebrations in the state, Tamil Nadu government on Sunday announced bonus of up to Rs 3,000 to C and D group employeesbesides a special bonus of Rs 1000 to A and B group employees.

While pensioners, family pensioners and former villageadministrative officers will get a Pongal gift of Rs 500for the year 2010-11, C and D group employees will get 30-daywages up to Rs 3,000, an official release said.

A special bonus of Rs 1,000 will be given to monthly payemployees who have worked for at least 240 days in a financialyear, employees with consolidated pay, nutritious meal workersbesides anganwadi and mini anganwadi workers of IntegratedChild Welfare Scheme.